How to use Calgon for washing machines - operating principle, alternative

With the advent of washing machines and the deterioration of water quality in city water supplies, the question arose: How to ensure the safety of equipment without spoiling clothes and linen during washing?
Safe chemistry is not a myth. Of course, everything that is safe is relatively dangerous. No one should ignore the usual precautions when using special equipment care products.

It is very important to know how to use calgon in a washing machine in order to get the desired effect and, moreover, not to damage the machine itself or spoil the laundry and clothes.

Chemical components of Calgon

Calgon refers to aggressive chemicals, which are a set of reactive acids and astringent polymers, as well as aromatic additives and polyphosphates that bind calcium and magnesium ions.

It is calcium and magnesium that form that hard plaque and scale in the drum of a washing machine, on the heating element and other electromechanical parts of washing machines due to the action of highly chlorinated water during water supply filtration.

Compound

about 30-35% of Calgon are polycarboxylates - a set of aggressive acids;
from 10 to 15 percent of polyethylene glycol - a substance that binds magnesium and calcium ions (plaque and scale);
sodium orthophosphate or polyphosphate is also a binder to prevent scale and plaque;
about 20% cellulose;
technical soda;
fragrances, deodorants, odor removers.

Important note! Calgon cannot influence the deposits and scale already existing in the washing machine.

To remove contaminants, completely different means are required.

Kalgon itself is intended to prevent the appearance of scale and plaque, as a strong prophylactic agent.

Beneficial features

Calgon is needed for more than just water softening.
It prevents the appearance of scale on the heating element, and it is scale that often becomes the reason that one day the washing machine will need the help of a specialist. To prevent things from getting repaired, the manufacturer of Calgona recommends adding it to the powder with each wash. (See also: How to clean a washing machine from scale and dirt) What are the main advantages that Calgon can boast of:

Saving washing powder (since softened water requires less of it than hard water).
Preventing the appearance of scale on the internal parts of the machine (and thereby increasing the service life of the automatic washing machine).
Preserving the bright colors of the laundry (as it does not allow scale to settle on the fabric).
Improving the quality of washing (since even stubborn stains are washed better in soft water).

Proponents of a healthy lifestyle have a completely justified question: can the use of Calgon have a negative impact on health? After all, it is a chemical product. Experts say that it is no more dangerous than ordinary washing powder, and even when pouring it into the machine, you do not need to wear gloves.

However, it is worth always remembering basic safety measures. Calgon should be stored in a dark place so that it is not accessible to children. In case of careless handling and accidental contact of the product on the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth (no matter how much it gets), you should quickly rinse it off with plenty of clean water. To eliminate this possibility, it is better to use tablets.

Application of Calgon

Efficiency of using Calgon for washing machines

Research by some chemists suggests that Calgon is not effective as a prophylactic for washing machines.

However, the actual composition of this reagent is very powerful and, as an oxidizing agent, it actually softens highly chlorinated water at water supply stations.

Nevertheless, Calgon still enjoys considerable popularity and this is not a consequence of widespread advertising, but the result of its active and effective use.

Mode of application

Calgon is used only and exclusively for washing machines.

The consequences of using this product for other household and kitchen appliances have not been studied, so refrain from experimenting.

The dosage of Calgon for washing machines depends on the hardness and chlorination of the home water supply.

How to determine the hardness of your water

It is not difficult to determine the hardness of home water and the presence of large amounts of chlorine, calcium and magnesium in it. Just take a piece of laundry soap and crumble it into a glass of cold water.

If the soap crumbs do not dissolve after half an hour, then the water is extremely hard and saturated with magnesium and calcium, which will cause scale when washing in a machine without Calgon.

Proportions of use

If you use powdered Calgon, then according to the degree of hardness you should use 1/3, 2/3 or a whole measuring cup of emollient.

Powder Calgon is poured into one compartment along with washing powder.

A Calgon tablet is added directly to the drum of the washing machine, which must be loaded along with the laundry and clothes.

Is Calgon really effective?

There are studies that prove the ineffectiveness of Calgon. Some experts claim that it is similar in composition to washing powder, which also contains water softening substances. In addition, Calgon only prevents the appearance of scale in the washing machine, but does not remove existing scale. There are already a sufficient number of reviews about the pointlessness of using this product and even that it can cause a malfunction of the washing machine. If you have never used Calgon and scale has formed in your washing machine, then you can always clean it with folk remedies, for example, ordinary baking soda, vinegar or citric acid.

However, many housewives still use Calgon, claiming that it better preserves the colors and strength of fabrics, and prevents white fabrics from turning gray.

In this article we have provided detailed instructions on how to use Calgon for washing machines. They told me where and how much to pour Calgon into the washing machine. Now you just have to weigh all the pros and cons, calculate the amount for the purchase of Calgon and a new washing machine and determine whether to use an additional product when washing or not. If you see more advantages than disadvantages, buy any form of release that is convenient for you - powder, tablets or gel - and be satisfied with the result.

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Possible release forms

All types of Calgon produced are very convenient to use. However, they are used differently depending on the form.

Exists:

economical powder Calgon - for adding to the tray along with washing powder;
Calgon tablets - for particularly hard water and added directly to the drum of the washing machine;
gel form - perfect for both very hard water and softer water.

Packaging

Powder packages are produced in packs weighing 0.55 kg, 1 kg, 1.6 kg.
Tablets are packaged in quantities of 12, 15, 32, 35, 40 and 70 tablets per pack.
The gel is bottled in plastic bottles of 0.75, 1.5 and 2 liters.

Cleaning the washing machine with calgon

Before cleaning your washing machine with Calgon, it is advisable to study the instructions included with the purchased package of cleaning product. It details what dosages should be used depending on the hardness level of your tap water, and also comes with a convenient 96 milligram measuring cup.

The following should be poured into the Calgon automatic machine:

One third of a measuring cup (32 milligrams) with water of medium hardness;
Two thirds of a glass (64 milligrams) with a high degree of water hardness;
A full glass (96 milligrams) if the tap water is very hard.

In addition to powder, Calgon, available in tablet form, is much easier to use. Regardless of the degree of water hardness, only one tablet should be added when washing. Housewives often have another equally important question - where to pour (place tablets or pour in gel) Calgon?

A washing machine usually has several compartments and Calgon must be poured into the largest compartment - most often it is the middle one, the one into which the washing powder is poured. Alternatively, you can add it to the powder. Experts do not recommend placing Calgon in the drum where laundry is placed.

Important: according to the manufacturer of Calgon, the effectiveness of its use is stable only with constant use.

Calgon is available in three forms: gel, powder and tablets. The dosage of the product is also sold in different versions, which makes it possible to use exactly as much Calgon as required and not waste money on excess.

For those whose water is too hard, it is more convenient to use tablets. They help you accurately follow the required dosage. The powder is convenient because you can change the dosage yourself, which is suitable in cases where the water used is not very hard. The composition of the product, regardless of whether it is a gel, tablets or powder, is the same.

In addition to its properties for changing water hardness, Calgon helps in the fight against scale that appears on the heating element. It is a burnt-out heating element that most often causes washing machine repairs. Therefore, experts recommend using it with every wash, at least adding it to the washing powder.

Regular use of Calgon allows you to:

Preserve the brightness of the laundry, preventing scale from settling on the fabric;
Improve the quality of washing by removing even the most difficult stains using soft water and without damaging the fabric;
Significantly save on the amount of washing powder, which is consumed in soft water much less.

Conducted studies show that Calgon is not as effective as it is advertised. In its composition, it is similar to ordinary washing powder, since it also contains water softening substances, in particular sodium polyphosphate. But it does not fight scale, but only helps prevent its appearance.

There is an opinion that this product is not only useless, but can also harm the washing machine, since, judging by the reviews of some owners who use Calgon, the service life of the machine is reduced as a result. The choice is up to the user; expert advice is only advisory in nature.

Existing Calgon substitutes or alternative

Of course, Calgon is not a panacea for protecting your washing machine from plaque, scale and dirt. There are other, cheaper analogues. Perhaps they are less effective, it is possible that they are less advertised, but they exist.

Here are their examples:

Alphagon,
Antiscale,
Lemon acid.

Both the first and second are quite capable of coping with the problems of contamination of the heating element of the washing machine and drum. But the real effect of these alternative remedies has been studied and tested much less than Calgon.

You can also use simple citric acid to clean the drum and heater by pouring it into the liquid compartment.

Naturally, nothing can be washed with citric acid - only clean it in idle mode. But citric acid can easily clean plaque and moderate scale.

What is Calgon used for?

Calgon for washing machines is a product designed to soften hard water, as well as the formation of scale on the heating element of the machine during the washing process. Scale that forms on the internal elements of the machine can lead to breakdown. This is why machine manufacturers recommend adding powder when washing to soften the water. Calgon is perhaps the most famous of these powders, which is why it came to the center of our attention.

The advantage and necessity of using Calgon is as follows:

firstly, by softening the water, the amount of washing powder required for one wash cycle is reduced;
secondly, it protects against the formation of scale on machine parts, which can lead to its breakdown;
thirdly, it prevents scale from settling on the linen, which can cause white linen to turn gray after just a few washes;
fourthly, clothes are washed better in soft water, especially for stubborn stains.

Despite the benefits and benefits of Calgon, some wonder if it affects health? According to some experts, the substances included in its composition do not have a negative effect on human health. When pouring Calgon into the machine, you don't have to wear gloves. However, precautions still need to be taken.

The most important thing is to store Calgon in a dark place inaccessible to children, away from food. If the product gets into your nose, eyes or mouth, rinse them with plenty of water.

The effectiveness of Calgon: truth or myth?

There is an opinion that Calgon is not as effective as its manufacturers claim. Judging by some consumer reviews, it is not effective at all. Opinions about the ineffectiveness of Calgon are confirmed by recent laboratory tests. It turns out that Calgon is very close in composition to ordinary powder. Its water softening components are identical to those contained in any automatic washing powder.

Experienced housewives have long confirmed this fact by observing the results of washing using Calgon. As for protecting the elements of the washing machine, not everything is clear here either. There are facts confirming the formation of scale on the heating element of a washing machine, both with Calgon and without it. Moreover, in some cases, Calgon can cause the washing machine to break down.

Proponents of using Calgon indicate that its components have a beneficial effect on linen. With it, white things do not turn gray and, in general, wear out more slowly. So, whether Calgon is needed for the machine is up to you to decide. Carry out simple calculations and determine how much money you will spend on Calgon over 5 years. These funds can be used to purchase a new washing machine.

You can watch a video about how effective Calgon is.

What can replace Calgon?

If you are a supporter of using water softeners when washing, then you don’t have to spend money on the much-advertised Calgon. You can choose cheaper chemicals - analogues. A good example of a Calgon substitute is Alfagon. Thanks to Alfagon, washing costs can be reduced by 2 times. And if you soften water with baking soda, then you don’t have to talk about costs at all.

If scale has already formed on the heating element of the machine, you can use means to remove it. Otherwise, breakdown cannot be avoided.

How to replace Calgon, since Alphagon is not the only substitute? On store shelves you can see such a product as “Eona anti-scale”. It contains components that soften and acidify water, which prevents the formation of scale and makes washing more efficient.

To summarize, we note that the question of how to use Calgon may not be the most difficult. Experts say that if you use Calgon, then use it for the entire life of the washing machine and under no circumstances use it from time to time. Occasional use of such products hopelessly damages the washing machine.

Interesting:

Reviews of Calgone for washing machines
Calgon composition for washing machine
Calgon substitute for washing machine
Instructions for Calgon Gel
How much powder should I put in the washing machine?
Is Calgon good for washing machine?

3 reader comments

01/21/2016 at 12:14
Daria:
But I use Calgon, it’s really more pleasant to wash with it, things are soft after washing and wash better, I didn’t have this effect with regular powders. So I prefer to keep an eye on the machine and things.
Answer
07/26/2016 at 22:55
Lydia:
And if it’s a liquid powder, where should you pour the calgon?
Answer

How does Calgon work?

Calgon breaks down scale with its active substances.

If the layer of plaque in the drum and on the heating element of the washing machine is more than 1 mm, then energy consumption increases to 10% of the norm.

Calgon, which dissolves scale, easily copes with these problems.

Polycarboxylic acids break down existing plaque, and polyethylene glycol prevents the formation of new scale, softening hard chloride water.

Will the heating element break if you don’t use Calgon?

The advertisement is scary that without Calgon the heating element will become covered with a destructive layer of scale in a matter of days, the machine will break down and the owner will sadly shake his head. The picture shown is so plausible and frightening that a persistent myth has been created around the product, which has grown into the regular addition of the mixture every time you wash it. The company collects a lot of money, while experts confidently declare that this is a banal delusion.

Firstly, Kalgon will not provide guarantees for the long-term operation of the machine. It’s just as impossible to predict which tire will puncture faster – a dirty one or a clean one. The accumulated layer is not directly related to the functioning of the heater, so you should not rely on one magic solution. The condition of the heating element is more strongly influenced by proper operation, initial quality, uninterrupted power supply, and scale ranks last in the list of causes and effects. You also need to understand that with hard tap water, scale still settles, albeit at a slower pace. It is much safer to take care of the filters right away, however, they are expensive, like Calgon.

Secondly, there are more reliable and effective ways to deal with scale. For example, annual cleaning with a special product or replacing the heating element with a new one every five years. It will be 2-3 times cheaper than wasting money on packages of Calgon.

To prevent scale, it is enough to “run” the machine once every six months with an empty cycle with the addition of a special cleaner.

You need to take care of the washing machine heater, but Calgon is not a panacea for all heating element problems. The need to add Calgon to the washing machine will be very expensive and will not protect the machine from the effects of scale. It is more economical to save money not spent on the product and, if it breaks down, immediately buy a new washing machine.